Avoiding Trans Fats is Harder Than You Think!

Oh Yeah, YOU Hold the Trans Fat!



As a professional in the Health & Wellness field I receive quite a few daily e-newsletters. I like SmartPeople's newsletter. I don't always agree with what they have to say, but generally the info is spot on.

Today I came across one that got my attention and got me irritated with it's suggestion. Yes, it seemed so simple, but in reality it is a very difficult thing to do.

Trans Fats. A controversial fat. A man-made product that replaces natural fat in a variety of "shelf-ready" food products. Trans Fats are on the market for 3 reasons. 1. cheaper 2. stable shelf life in processed foods (foods stay "fresh" longer where as natural fats go bad in shorter time) 3. first presumed healthier when it came to our blood lipid profiles.

Oh these trans fats had a bright future when first introduced some 30 years ago. Today you can't find a packaged food product without some level of trans fat included.

Same holds true with High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS). Man made food products primarily designed to increase shelf life of foods. Presumable to feed our growing populations.

Both are killing us. No not immediately. And really it might be difficult to prove in court that these products are to blame for lives lost prematurely. And you could argue that these products have actually helped feed our poor hungry nation.

Having been in the health field for 25+ years I have even promoted the use of these products, reduce cholesterol levels by eating margarine for one. Choose whole wheat versions of foods, now even my beloved Wheaties" has no sugar added, but are artificially sweetened with HFCS! AARRRGGGHHHH!!!!

Right now my only advice for folks who are really trying to improve their health nutritionally is: Eat Locally Grown, Choose Whole and where ever feasible Organically Grown foods. I can't consciously advice otherwise.

To do so takes effort. time and forces learning how to cook instead of "heating up" what we put together out of the box. That in reality is a BIG adjustment. At least for me it is. I never learned how to really cook. I'm learning, but it's a process.

When I read the advice such as the one below, which is good advice, I get a little angry. The advice is sound, but it's not thaty simple or that realistic. Just read the lables and avoid foods that have these ingredients listed on the label it suggests. Well, try it out. See if you can find yourself some macaroni & cheese that you can fix in 5 minutes. You pretty much have to make the dish from scratch to do it.

Tell that to a time pressed single mom on a limited budget! Tell that to a college student or a senior citizen who needs to decide between bus fare to their classes,medications and food.

The advice is sound. The advice from SmartPeople is correct. But it gives it to you like it's easy to just switch. It's not.

But that doesn't mean the journey toward healthy eating should be abondoned. Not at all. One just needs to realize that it will take a bit more, well a lot more effort, than a "sound bite".

The fact that a Harvard study found (keep in mind it's ONE study too) that just a 2% increase in Trans Fats increases one's risk of heart disease (yes, our most chronic illness) by a whopping 93%! That's HUGE. That's worrisome. That's cause to address the problem at the root - with our food industry.

Hold the Trans Fat

by SmartPeople.com
What do bread, crackers, cereal, macaroni and cheese, frozen pizza, doughnuts, and cookies have in common? Besides being at the top of the list of many kids' favorite foods, they are all possible sources of trans fats. Trans fats are oils that, through a process called hydrogenation, have been chemically altered from their original liquid states into solid shortening. The process extends the shelf life of the oil and improves the texture of the food to which the oil is added. Many manufacturers add it to their products for these reasons.

However, when you add those foods to your grocery cart, you're increasing your risk of heart disease (and your kid's too), because trans fats are artery-clogging professionals. They carry cholesterol to the arteries, drop it off, and go looking for more. A Harvard Medical School study of 80,000 women found that a 2% increase in trans fat consumption increased a woman's risk of heart disease by 93%.

But you can still have your cake, eat it, and have a healthy heart, too. Just avoid products that list "partially hydrogenated" vegetable oil or shortening as an ingredient.

Sports True Lessons Live on Long After the Game is Done

I have said it before and I'll say it again. There is a lot more to sports than winning a particular game on a specific day. A point often lost to parents, players and coaches these days.

If coached well, the players learn humility, courage, tenacity, confidence, teamwork, dedication and loyalty, during the years of playing sports. All attributes that come over time with practice, guidance and patience. All attributes that come from failing, then getting back up again. All attributes that come when an individual finally learns, to borrow from the film "Miracle", that the "name on the front of the jersey is more important than the name on the back of the jersey", that the team is a band of people they need to rise up for and with.

These are the attributes that can carry a person through life's good times and bad. The lessons learned on the playing field develop the leader who will later go on to great accomplishments in life, family, community, business, charity or whatever.

That's if the lessons learned early on actaully shape the person in a positive direction.

I cringe when I watch players approach any sport with the "ah, who cares, it's only a game" attitude. It saddens me that the lesson is lost on them. They give up if they can't get the immediate win. They give up on the game. Think that doesn't become a habit?

I'm dissappointed when I observe a coach twisting the rules to win a game on a trick play (although there is a lesson in that as well - be prepared for the unexpected). So instead of training hard, dedicating yourself and time to perfecting a skill one learns to manipulate and...well, to put it bluntly...cheat. That's what they bring to life in the future. I'm angry at the loss of the true lesson in sport. Think that doesn't become a habit?

If a coach or parent is thoughtful they can see past the immediate gratifaction and teach the lessons that make truly GREAT leaders, GREAT people. They take the time to develop the player from the inside out. That doesn't happen in one game, one season, one year. That develops over time.

And we as a society are not patient enough to allow the lesson to unfold. We as a society have lost the true lesson. "Can't see the forest for the trees." We see only the short-term profits at whatever the longterm cost.

The truly great see both.

Take a listen to one of todays leaders who brings home my point...

Standing Your Ground - not to be intimidated...

I've been involved with competitive sports all my life. My father was an outstanding athlete in High School in 3 sports and is still considered to be the best Center (football) to come out of Salesianum (DE) today. I had no choice but to love sports, it was in my blood.

Sports, if allowed to do so, can provide valuable life lessons to the participant that they can take with them into the rest of their lives. They can also, when taught, encouraged and coached to win at all costs lose the life lessons which are positive. As I always say, "it's a razors-edge", the line of integrity.

Playing sports once again, at the age of 53, I find the lessons as prevalent now as they were when I was in high school and college. I'm only more aware of their value to me personally and to my children.

Standing My Ground is another example of those lessons from sports.

http://www.myspace.com/sherrillaquinn/blog/541071490

Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to officially enter and run the Boston Marathon

Kathrine Switzer kicked off our Buffalo-Niagara International Marathon this Morning! What an awesome experience.

To think that it was in early 1970's that the "Boston Incident" occurred, where she registered in the No WOMEN ALLOWED event under the name of K. Switzer.

Men tried to "yank" her off the course at that time. WOW! we have changed. Today 60% of the entrants in the Marathon were women!

Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to officially enter and run the Boston Marathon

Sports Teach Life Lessons: "Don't Panic"

I've always believed that sports can teach our children and ourselves valuable life lessons if we let it happen. This past week my Lycoming College Soccer Goalkeeper son taught himself and ME one of those lessons.

He's a hardworking dedicated player. He's never been one to give up. As a 5"7" goalie he also hasn't been one who has been given credit for being damn good. He's too small and what coach is going to acknowledge that this small keeper can beat your tall, bigger players in the air. What coach will drop the ego and elect this young man as an all-league keeper.

That hasn't deterred my son. He plays to win. He plays for the team to win. He doesn't play for individual recognition. This week he AND I, his Mom, got a lesson in perseverance and courage. When the going got rough he didn't run away. He didn't panic!

If that is not a life lesson I don't know what is.

Read my Blog entry: "Don't Panic"

http://www.myspace.com/sherrillaquinn/blog

Bicycling is on a roll in Buffalo - Denise Jewell Gee - The Buffalo News

I'm a bit far to commute the entire distance to work (plus I report to work at 6:00am many days/week), but if there is a will there is a way.

Biking in a couple days per week cuts down on mileage on my car (saving about 55 miles), saves a few bucks in gas, but the biggest benefit is ME, the rider.

Sure it's a bit more of a pain to get the bike rack on the car, get the bike onto the rack, drive to my riding buddies home (closer to work than my home), ride the hour bike ride, then change at work.

But you know, it's two rides per day for 2 days. I commute save the environment a little AND do something good for my health.

There is one more benefit to commuting with a pal...Spending a little quality time with a work-friend. It does my heart good.

The bike is put away for the season. But the holidays are coming up and I think I'll ask Santa for some winter biking gear so I can get out earlier in 2011.

Think about it.

Bicycling is on a roll in Buffalo - Denise Jewell Gee - The Buffalo News

Will We EVER Learn! Abbott Pulls Meridia Weight Loss Drug on Fatal Heart Attack Concerns | All247News

Every 1-2 years we read about diet pills being pulled from the market for their adverse effects. I have to ask myself, why are these drugs even ON the market! And yet, I know the answer to that question, demand. There is a demand for the drug, meaning people are willing to pay for the drug despite the risks.

Why should we blame the pharmaceutical companies? I mean really, somewhere within their literature there must be a warning label. You know that 2 foot long piece of paper that comes inside all the packaging. The one that lists all the "side-effects" and hazards? Yes.

Doesn't that exclude them from any responsibility?! Isn't that enough for someone to at least reconsider taking these drugs? No. No.

We still manufacture them. We still search out and purchase them. We still take them. And we still suffer the consequences.

All because we are not willing to do the work.

My hard-liner feeling...Fine take the drugs. Go ahead. But you assume 100% of the risk. If you die, your estate, your family. your friends you left behind can't sue anyone. You CHOSE to take the drug.

But here is where my basic philosophy on health comes in. "It Takes a Village..." It takes a village for a person to be healthy. It takes each person doing what they need to do to be healthy. It takes a government ensuring that policies are established to protect ourselves from...ourselves, it takes companies truly being altruistically motivated when it comes to the consumers health, not just the "all-mighty" dollar or that quarters profit margins.

It takes everyone doing their share, their part.

When I read articles such as this one year after year, I have to shake my head. Are we so ignorant of our own history to be doomed to constantly repeat mistakes.

Unfortunately, it appears so.

Abbott Pulls Meridia Weight Loss Drug on Fatal Heart Attack Concerns | All247News

Bigfoot Moods - You Can't Win Unless You Enter!

OK, You are right I am stretching the point here on Wellness, but am I? Is fun and laughter as much a part of a healthy vibrant life as exercise and eating nutritiously! I find the more you enjoy the simple, childish things in life the more smiles and laughs you have all day long. Certainly makes a difference in my outlook towards just about everything.

At Fisher-Price their (our) motto is "Our work is child's play!" And it is work, but the rewards are the gazzillion smiling laughing faces of children around the world. Now that is amazing. When I see a happy child I can't help but smile myself.  Those smiles are contagious! 

So go ahead and play. Who cares if you don't win, you'll laugh at the silly faces and gestures Big Foot makes. And if you do win...WOW! You are going to make some child pretty darn happy when your very own Big Foot arrives on your doorstep! 

Bigfoot Moods: "Enter The Bigfoot Moods Sweepstakes for your chance to win a Bigfoot the Monster toy."

We are Only as Strong as our Weakest Link: Bullying should not be Tolerated!

Think this doesn't have anything to do with Health & Wellness? Yes, it does. It speaks to our mental, spiritual, and emotional health as a nation. Bullying has been around forever you say. Yes, but does that make it right or just? No. We've all been bullied in our lives, is it a right of passage? It doesn't have to be. It's a learned behavior that can be passed on from generation to generation due to ignorance & intolerance. It's a cycle, if we chose, can STOP. Yep, stop it dead in it's tracks. By speaking up when prejudicial behavior is heard or seen. By reaching out to those who are targeted. By watching your own behavior especially in the presence of our children.

As an athlete I was always taught that our team was only as strong as our weakest link and that it was up to the stronger athletes to make the weaker players better. As an adult I carry that philosophy with me into the Health & Wellness arena. It is my belief that we, as a nation, as a human race are only as strong as our weakest link. Our weakest link in this case is our GLBT folks. Constant targets by the politicians & the religious right. We, who are strong and have our own personal shields against such insults, must not only protect, but empower our weaker link, our vulnerable people.

We must NOT tolerate these acts. We must no longer be silent when heard. How can we be a healthy nation when we allow these and other behaviors to eat away at our soul as a citizen of this world.

I am fortunate to work with a company that is working on "inclusive" language in it's policies for the employees. But our job is not yet complete. As Ellen mentions in her message, things will get better, things do change and our teens should be around to see it!

Thank you Ellen for this Brilliant message! 

Take Action NOW! Rid Schools of Junk Food!!!

Need I say more?! Childhood obesity is on the rise. This is about our children's health and the future health of our nation. Only a few days left to get junk food out of schools! A few groups are urging Congress to vote against the child nutrition bill when it comes up for a vote this week.  I find this astonishing, and hope you will work with us to ensure the bill passes. The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act would get junk food and soda out of vending machines, improve the nutrition quality to school lunches, and expand access to school meals for low-income kids. It will take just a minute to write to your U.S. Representative, which will help counter the misinformation buzz in Washington and improve the nutrition and health of millions of children. Follow Link to Voice your Concern Thank you! Margo Wootan Director, Nutrition Policy Center for Science in the Public Interest

Jack LaLanne Turns 96 Today!

The man is absolutely incredible! 96 and still going strong.  He lived by some simple rules and tenaciously
 stuck by them.  I didn't always agree with his words, but many more than not I did.  You can't deny he lived by his creed.

THE KING OF FITNESS

Jack LaLanne turned 95 on September 26, 2009, and that is hard to believe. He doesn’t look it! In public, young people flock to him and older people feel Jack has found the Fountain of Youth.

Jack LaLanne is America’s Number 1 Physical Fitness Expert and Guru, and is often called the“Godfather of Fitness”. Jack admits it was not always this way. “As a kid,” he flatly states, “I was a sugarholic and a junk food junkie! It made me weak and it made me mean. It made me so sick I had boils, pimples and suffered from nearsightedness. Little girls used to beat me up. My mom prayed… the Church prayed.” It was at the age of 15, when he heard pioneer nutritionist Paul Bragg speak at the Oakland City Women’s Club in San Francisco Bay Area, Jack finally realized that he was addicted to sugar. Bragg promised Jack if he would exercise and eat a proper diet he could regain good health. Jack listened attentively and was fiercely determined to walk away from that lecture ready to build a totally new Jack LaLanne.

LALANNEISMS

Jack LaLanne fervently believes every human being can attain maximum body health and fitness if they will practice moderation, eat the most natural foods, and exercise on a regular basis. Over the years on national television, radio talk shows and in feature stories written about Jack, certain ideas stated by Jack have become little gems known as “LaLanneisms”

Here are a few of Jack’s words of wisdom:

• Anything in life is possible if you make it happen.
• Anything in life is possible and you can make it happen.
• Your waistline is your lifeline.
• Exercise is King, nutrition is Queen, put them together and you’ve got a kingdom.
• Don’t exceed the feed limit.
• The food you eat today is walking and talking tomorrow.
• Ten seconds on the lips and a lifetime on the hips.
• Better to wear out than rust out
• Do – don’t stew.
• People don’t die of old age, they die of inactivity.
• First we inspire them, then we perspire them.
• You eat everyday, you sleep everyday, and your body was made to exercise everyday.
• Work at living and you don’t have to die tomorrow.
• I can’t die, it would ruin my image.
• If man makes it, don’t eat it.
• If it tastes good, spit it out.
• What’s it doing for me?
• Your health account is like your bank account: The more you put in, the more you can take out.
• If one apple is good, you wouldn’t eat 100.
• It’s not what you do some of the time that counts, it’s what you do all of the time that counts.
• Make haste slowly.
• Eat right and you can’t go wrong.

Health law kicks into 2nd gear; does it help me? - Yahoo! News

I have been a strong supporter of the Obama Health Care Plan directives from the start. It's NOT about socialized medicine, it's about doing the right thing FOR the American person. Having the right coverage for everyone is only the start. Every person must also do their part. Each person must do what they can to BE healthy.

I call that "Health Assurance". We tend to "Insure" poor health, which is more reactive. I believe that we need to be pro-active and "Assure" our health by improving our own personal health behaviors.

Simply, as an individual, eating well, NOT smoking, managing stress, becoming more physically active are a few behaviors we can control. 

The other end of the spectrum is to create stronger, protective policies that support the health of our nation as a whole. What I mean by this is that we have to encourage businesses that manufacture, produce, grow, handle our food supply to do a much better job. Our food products quite simply suck. Too many chemicals, too much sugar, not enough natural healthy ingredients. Now that is NOT an easy task, to feed the entire nation.. If it was we'd be doing it. In fact we are doing it with our small locally CSA's.  

We have to do it though. Our survival depends on us doing so.

We also need effective and enforceable policies that protect us from Pharmaceutical companies. Drugs have a place no doubt. But, too many drugs are pushed on eager consumers who really don't need them. Marketers are creating a need that doesn't exist simply becasue of the all mighty (well at one time the all-mighty) dollar.

This Health Law may be financially challenging for some state health plans to cover, but again, it's the right thing to do.

I support the changes, the improvements. More importantly I encourage people to do their part in being healthy. it takes a village to raise a healthy person to paraphrase Hillary Clinton's book

I have always said that when a person gets healthy EVERYONE wins. All except the businesses that thrived on our illness, preceived or real.

This is a nice Q & A Summary of the changes expected.

In health!

Health law kicks into 2nd gear; does it help me? - Yahoo! News

Phys Ed: Can Exercise Make Kids Smarter? - NYTimes.com

First off let me get this off my chest.... Like NO DUH! Us "Phys-Ed" folks have been saying this for years. Well at least those who believed in the value of physical activity in the development of the whole person, in this case the child, but we can make the leap to include adults as well.

I'm encouraged when I read articles such as this that shares some of the current research findings on activity and it's relationship to our mental and emotional well-being.

I don't teach Physical Education in schools now (in "retirement" I will - it's my L-T plan). I work in the area of Corporate Health Promotion - I teach P.E. within a corporation, P.E. for adults. But I'm a Mom. I'm an adult within a community who cares about the health and well-being of our communities children. I care that they (schools/community) 1. That the schools have the necessary resources to assist teachers in delivering high-quality education. 2. Provide healthy options for solid nutrition - breakfast, snacks & lunches. 3. That the community have a variety of outlets for children & teens, playgrounds, youth theater, arts programs, music, as well as sports.

Traditional P.E. taught sport. All fine and good, but teaching ONLY sport excluded so many. Today P.E. not only includes sport training but lifetime activities such as running, weight training, yoga, challenge adventures, camping & hiking, etc.. Many school districts are doing this now, those that still have funding to support it within their schools.

Physical Activity is not only great for the body it's also great for the mind & emotions. We as adults know that. We should encourage our schools to not only teach the 3 R's, but learn how to integrate moderate and vigorous movement into the school day, through P.E. or within the classroom setting.

Maybe if we encourage more Physical Activity we may see less behavioral problems, less obesity-related health problems, more academic achievement. Need convincing...Take a moment and read this excellent article.

Our future is in the hands of our children. Let's keep them healthy.

Phys Ed: Can Exercise Make Kids Smarter? - NYTimes.com

Long life goes hand in hand with a firm grip - Health - msnbc.com

I made it to the Quarter Century Club & the Half Century Club and I'm still thinking that the Century Club is a worthwhile goal. I know that getting from this point to that point will be a challenge. I need to not only mentally & spiritually be up to it, but physically as well.

Checking in now at the age of 53 I have already lost family and friends younger than me. The odds of going the distance get slimmer with each passing moment. Yet, I'm willing to give it my best shot.

One thing that I know many articles don't speak of is creating a lasting community when your peers are dropping all around you. A good friend told me recently as I shared my concern. She responded without missing a beat, "Then you'll have to make younger friends!"

I really liked that thought, completely changed my view on aging. In that vain, I post for you, an article that focuses on the physical attributes that are related to longetivity. No surprise, but something to truly consider...Keep on truckin' folks!

Long life goes hand in hand with a firm grip - Health - msnbc.com

Success is in the journey NOT the Pill!

I see Trends. I have this tendency to see common threads in un-related issues.  For instance, I see how our narrowed-minded, short-term profit fix is reflected in our desire to "cure" long-term systemic problems with the quick profiteering fix of drugs.

In the U.S. especially, our own greed and blindness to long-term financial stability and innovation is blocked and destroyed by our own fears of competition.  Large corporations destroy the future by gobbling up and destroying anything that threatens current profits.  Thus squelching any potential long-term market growth. Innovation, the very thing that made the USA great is wiped off the future map.  Now we are paying the high price.

I see the same kind of trends for the "cure" of the modern day killer of health, Obesity.  Heaven forbid that we  fix our inadequate food supply, promote more physical movement in the our daily lives, learn how to deal effectively with stress and discover how true joy is found in each simple moment.

No instead we promote and people buy drugs to fix themselves mentally & physically. And if one drug doesn't work, here, add another to the mix.

Once again diet drugs are looking to be approved to cure obesity...LOOK at the risks compared to the modest gains (or losses).

A health lifestyle costs us virtually nothing.  But it does take conscious consistent effort.  It's in that very journey, that very journey that the true cure exists.  Why must we be so short-sighted with the quick-fix solutions?  Why must we be so afraid of the journey.  Is it really too much work to be happy & healthy without drugs?

Risks of old, new diet drugs face U.S. scrutiny

By Lisa Richwine and Susan Heavey

WASHINGTON, Sept 9 (Reuters) - The risks of a potential new diet pill and a 13-year-old weight-loss medicine face U.S. scrutiny next week as medical experts consider if the drugs' benefits outweigh possible side effects.

On Thursday, Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc (ARNA.O) goes before an advisory panel that will consider if the pill, lorcaserin or Lorqess, should win approval. The medicine is vital to Arena, a small company with no approved drugs on the market.

On Wednesday, the committee will decide whether to recommend tougher action against Abbott Laboratories Inc's (ABT.N) diet drug Meridia on concerns about heart problems.

READ the WHOLE Article... And you tell me if you see what I see..

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0921319620100910

Clean Sheets, Goose Eggs & Shut Outs

I'm a believer in what sports has to offer children & adults. I'm a believer in sports if we allow sports to do the teaching and for us parents to learn our own lessons by simply supporting our children and not fighting their battles for them. I believe that we learn most from our failures than our successes. I believe in letting children fail so they know the value of working harder for a goal they believe in.

That of course is easier said then done. I learned a lot of lessons as an athlete when I was younger. Those lessons hold true today. I'm still learning lessons as a parent of an athlete.

My son, now a sophomore in college, is a very different athlete than I was. I was a natural, could do anything and do it well. I worked hard at it, but I didn't train like my son. I played many sports. He has chosen soccer as his passion. He's a soccer goalie, a Keeper. He's 5'6"/5'7". He's fearless, he's quick, he's stronger than his 140# athletic frame shows, and he can leap.

But no one, outside of a few HS coaches and his teammates, believed he could dominate this position. He has. But the battle, just like his battle over a learning disability, is not one he can coast along with. He's got to prove himself every moment.

The longer he played, the higher the competition, the higher the risks. Failure is not an option to my son. Failure to him was giving up on his goal of playing Keeper for a team he leads to the nationals and playing in the field. He could play the field, his skills are that good. But his passion is Keeper.

As the leading sophomore he looked to earn his starting position, but the freshman got the nod. AAARGGHH! I pouted more than he.

He got his chance to play. And this is what he did.

Clean Sheets: Share this profile

A Simple Chore. A Life Lesson. - Sherrill A Quinn's MySpace Blog | sAq's BLOG...

Finding the joy and the little Miracles in everyday life can do so much for our Mental and Spiritual Well-being. It's these simple moments that add pleasure. Can we stay aware enough to even notice?

A Simple Chore. A Life Lesson. - Sherrill A Quinn's MySpace Blog | sAq's BLOG...

Energize Your Workouts with Social Support

Now, I LOVE exercise. I KNOW the value of physical activity in my life. I live and breathe this stuff. I have learned and seen first hand the value of regular physical exertion has on your mind, body and spirit. Not as crazy as years past, my intentions and goals are unique to my life right now.

A lifetime athlete (since the age of 8) I'm finding enjoyment in recreational sports these days more than sheer competition. I compete with that little (and I have to admit sometimes quite loud) still small voice inside that says, "Hmm, maybe later." I have come to rely very heavily on others support and encouragement in recent months.

Now I work in the field and preach it everyday and I am often the motivator for many folks. But this motivator needs a motivator once in ahile too. Or maybe I just want to enjoy this "fitness stuff" with the people I love in my life. Maybe this is just another thing that we can share together. Either way the bottom-line is Do Whatever it takes to be and stay active, even if it means recruiting old and new friends!

Here's a great supportive article to that end.

Energize Your Workouts with Social Support American Council on Exercise (ACE)

We Were Last! www.myspace.com/sherrillaquinn/blog

Few medicines as strong as exercise | exercise, medicine, muscle - Life - The Orange County Register

More and more research and information is pointing directly to Exercise as truly being "medicine". Not only is it necessary to avoid chronic illnesses such as heart disease & stroke, but mental health & well-being (as well as learning) are intrinsically linked to movement and exercise. We Physical Education folks and Fitness Professionals have "known" this for years via personal testimony and a pleathora of anctedotal stories.
Finally actual well-designed research is being published that document the changes at a bio-chemical & hormonal level. Exercise is so much more than neuro-muscular improvements. I would consider those changes healthy "side-effects" compared to the positive mental & emotional changes.

sAq

Few medicines as strong as exercise exercise, medicine, muscle - Life - The Orange County Register

Concerns as obesity surgery soars

On one hand I am glad the issue has finally come to light, come into and onto the publics consciousness.  On the other I'm deeply concerned about the issue.  It's NOT just the financial cost to society, and we all realize finally just how much, it's the cost to our own humanity.

The answer is NOT to beat down the individuals who are obese, but to encourage them to find the reason to battle the excesses and find the very personal reason to change.

That's for an educated and intelligent person.  BUT the obesity our nation deals with is also one of poverty. Our nations poor are under-educated and are subject to poor food choices being marketed and sold in their neighborhoods, schools, food pantries etc.

Recognizing the problem is only the first step to change.  In some neighborhoods it actually take strong community action to rid the area of "food garbage".

It's just my opinion.
Concerns as obesity surgery soars